AIDY Delap said hard work was a key ingredient in Letterkenny Rovers’ success this year.
Stephen McConnell and his management team had their team razor sharp for the cup final and they delivered.
The strength of the Rovers squad was noticeable and there was real quality coming off the bench.
The intense battle for places has pushed up the standards.
“It’s not all easy and there’s a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes,” said captain Delap.
“You have training on Tuesdays and Thursdays and we show up and train very well.
“There’s huge competition for places.
“Trophies are hard come by and you don’t know when your next final is going to be so you just have to enjoy them as they come.”
Rovers will now head for the League of Ireland third tier, and while there will inevitable be changes, they will begin that new era with confidence.
“It is exciting for the club.
“If we could keep as many of these boys together it would be savage.
“But boys have different commitments in life at the minute.
“If we could get boys to stick together, you never know what might happen.
“It’s a good thing for the club and good for Donegal as well with the amount of teams in it.
“Hopefully all being well we will kick on.”